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Quick Tips: Reducing the Stress of Caregiving

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Caring for a family member or friend who has a
disability or a chronic illness can be rewarding. But it's also demanding. One
of the keys to being a successful caregiver is to manage stress by seeking
support and taking care of yourself. Managing stress is especially important for a caregiver, because stress can weaken his or her immune system. A weak immune system makes the caregiver more likely to get sick.

Think about the kinds of
caregiving tasks or situations that trigger stress for you. Then you can focus
on one or two things you can do that will help the most to reduce stress. Here
are some ideas:

Get support

Ask family members for help. Include them in caregiving decisions.

Share the tasks. Make a list of weekly tasks, and share that
list with your family. Ask for help with shopping, housecleaning, and errands.
You don't have to do all the work on your own.

Stay involved. Make time for social activities and friends,
even if it's only a phone call or coffee during the week.

Join a caregiver support group. Meeting other caregivers helps
you know you're not alone. And it gives you a chance to talk about your worries
and concerns with others who understand.

Find respite care. Respite services provide someone who can stay with your
family member while you get away for a few hours or days. Time away can help
you manage your stress and be a better caretaker.

Look up caregiver resources in your community. Hospitals, churches, and other groups may
provide transportation or other services that support caregiving tasks. You can
reduce stress by planning ahead so you know who to call when you need extra
help.

Take care of yourself

Put your own health first. Be sure to schedule and go to your medical checkups.

Eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
Taking care of yourself will help you deal with stressful
situations.

Get regular exercise. Even a
10-minute walk can relieve stress.

Take a breath. Try stress reduction techniques like deep breathing and
meditation.

Take a break. It's important to
take time off from caregiving once in a while. Spend some time doing things you
enjoy or on things in your own life that need attention.

What to think about

Depression is common among caregivers. It's emotionally
draining to care for a loved one whose health is getting worse. Don't dismiss
your feelings as "just stress." If you're having trouble coping with your
feelings, it may help to talk with a counselor. If you have symptoms of
depression, such as a lack of interest in things you enjoy, a lack of energy,
or trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.